Jordan Clarkson Set To Represent Philippines In FIBA Asia Tourney

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — The Los Angeles Lakers have cleared point-guard Jordan Clarkson to play for the Philippines national team during FIBA international play.

After being named to the Philippines’ 24-man roster, Clarkson is waiting to hear back from FIBA for the final word on whether or not he will be able to play for the national team.

The Lakers are fine with Clarkson playing for the team, as long as he in back in Los Angeles before media day and training camp starts at the end of September.

Gilas Pilipinas has their first game on September 23rd, but also have scheduled contests for the 24th, 25th, and 27th of Sept. as well.

Clarkson’s mother is Filipino, and the Lakers’ star guard does have a Filipino passport as well.

He his however, entering his final year of his contract with the Lakers.

Lakers Public Relations Vice President John Black said that, “Per the collective bargaining agreement between the NBA and the Player’s Association, as long as national team play does not interfere with team requirements and there are no injury issues, it is up to the players whether or not to play. Our players must be in Los Angeles on September 28, so as long as he would be back by then, we would have no objection to Jordan playing in the event up until that date.”

If Clarkson is able to play for the Philippines national team, he will only be able to participate in about half of the tournament due to his obligations with the Lakers.

In his rookie season with the Lakers, Clarkson averaged 11.9 points per game, 3.5 assists per game, and 3.2 rebounds per game.

He was named as a member of the NBA’s All-Rookie First Team last season after being selected in the 2nd round of the 2014 NBA Draft.

This is a great opportunity for Clarkson to not only sharpen up his skills before the upcoming NBA season, but also to make a name for himself as a Filipino-American star athlete.